How does your city score? Experts rate cities on openness
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Caleb Warnock - DAILY HERALD
When controversy hits in Utah Valley, municipal leaders often hear a singular message from affected residents -- we were not given important information when we needed it. Razing ancient cedars or building a Wal-Mart feet from homes in Cedar Hills, expanding a sewer lagoon or approving huge housing developments in Santaquin, proposing itinerate housing in Payson, looking to quadruple impact fees or OK a gravel pit in Saratoga Springs, building a freeway in Lehi or a charter school on a residential street in Alpine, local residents have repeatedly expressed frustration with city employees and elected leaders who are supposed to protect their interests.
Because residents in cities across Utah Valley have decried for years the way cities communicate information that affects their lives, the Daily Herald recently collected -- or in some cases, attempted to collect -- meeting agendas and asked two experts to judge them, assigning each a letter grade based on how well cities had communicated to the public the business of the community.
To residents, the consequences of local decisions are real, and sometimes devastating. Eagle Mountain officials admitted recently that had they acted earlier, it would not have been necessary to condemn the front yards of four residents to build a 90-foot-tall power line. But that was little comfort to residents who wept in protest, or to Cedar Hills homeowners who will find themselves living feet from a Wal-Mart when construction begins in the spring, all of whom told city leaders they were not given information about the projects early enough.
Public information on the activities of planning commissions and city councils varies widely across Utah Valley. Some cities provide agendas with extremely minimal information, stating only that "recreation" or undefined jargon terms such as "CDBG" will be discussed, as a recent agenda in Goshen stated, or simply "airport loan" or "center for the arts" listed on a recent Provo agenda. Such opaqueness makes it difficult for residents to know not only how elected officials are spending taxpayer money, but also how city actions may affect residents.
Other cities are much more transparent. Eagle Mountain and Orem both regularly provide agendas reaching 10 pages or more, containing detailed explanations making it easier for residents to know at a glance where money is being spent and on-the-ground consequences of city actions. Most, if not all, cities provide extremely detailed packets of information -- sometimes numbering 100 pages or more -- regarding the agendas to their city leaders, but have sometimes charged the public and media fees to get the same information. Other cities post these packets on their Web sites for free public access.
Receiving an A grade from both experts who provided grades to the Daily Herald for this report, Orem and Eagle Mountain were the only cities to receive perfect scores.
"It was always very important for me to think of myself as a resident reading the agenda and provide more information than less," said Gina Peterson, who wrote Eagle Mountain's agenda and has since become the city recorder for Highland.
"Woot!" wrote Orem city recorder Donna Weaver in an e-mail upon hearing the city's grades, noting that "woot" is "like saying hurray."
"It is gratifying that after years of receiving input from residents and trying to implement their suggestions that our current process is well received," she said, noting Orem strives to provide information "as early as possible before each meeting so that residents have time to research issues they may wish to speak about."
Grades were given by Jeff Hunt, a Freedom of Information Act attorney, and Joel Campbell, BYU assistant professor of communications and past president of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.
Campbell said he gave perfect grades to agendas "written in plain English that residents could understand. ... While there are certain legal requirements required on agendas, city officials ought to remember most citizens don't understand the bureaucratese that government officials work in. If they want to involve citizens in the democratic process, they need to translate the jargon, the acronyms and the obtuse references."
Agendas are governed by the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, which requires cities to "provide reasonable specificity to notify the public as to the topics to be considered at the meeting." The law also requires that cities cite one of seven allowed exemptions if they move into closed session, where the public is not allowed, Campbell said. Any member of the public who feels their rights regarding an agenda were not met can sue.
A-minus grades went to agendas that "slipped into bureaucratese. Many of the agenda items were indiscernible without calling or getting more information."
In the B-minus category, "agendas started to slip into the 'stealth agenda' category" by not giving "enough background to help build context or understanding about the issue," he said, while agendas given C and D grades "were very brief and provided no background or context."
Hunt praised Provo, Orem and Eagle Mountain for providing "excellent agendas -- full of information and background on the agenda items. That kind of detail allows the public to fully understand what items are up for discussion and action.
"The purpose of the Open Meetings Act is to ensure that the public's business is conducted openly and publicly. Informative agendas serve that purpose by letting the public know what items are up for discussion and action so residents may attend, observe and provide input.
"Certainly there is room for improvement on some agendas."
Because they each earned one D grade, Woodland Hills and Goshen had the lowest scores in the county.
"We obviously like the higher grade but more importantly we want to learn how to improve," said Woodland Hills Mayor Toby Harding, who called the grades useful and timely.
"Our agendas are admittedly brief," he said. "However, our approach seems to have fit the needs of our small city. ... Nevertheless, with the growth of our community ... a more informative agenda is one of the approaches we will consider."
Eleven cities received at least one C grade.
When asked for comments on their grades and their goals for communicating with residents, 16 cities did not respond, including Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Fort, Elk Ridge, Genola, Goshen, Lehi, Payson, Pleasant Grove, Provo, Salem, Santaquin, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville and Vineyard.
Highland received a B+ from Hunt and a B- from Campbell, grades which city administrator Barry Edwards initially protested.
"To grade Highland's agenda based solely on the title page does a disservice to the effort and work put into making our agendas the most complete in the county," he said.
The city later said the title page is in fact the only document made available to the public, and contained no information on how to get further information online. Peterson said the city is now working to change that, and may expand agendas to make them more informative.
"You will probably see over the coming year some changes to not only the agenda, but the avenues in which the City Council may be contacted prior to meetings," Peterson said.
Mapleton received a B from Hunt and a B from Campbell, grades city administrator Bob Bradshaw said "fairly reflect and assess our agenda information. ... The city's goal is to be as open as possible with all information on the agendas without turning them into several lengthy pages -- indeed, we include agendas and minutes on the city's Web page as quickly as we can. ... There is still room for improvement."
Lindon was given an A- by both Hunt and Campbell.
"We are heartened by the grade received by Lindon," said Ott Dameron, Lindon city administrator. "Of course, there is always room for improvement, but an A- was a very good grade when I was in school."
Lindon keeps its agendas "succinct" because "some people are intimidated by an extremely long agenda which could take an inordinate amount of time to absorb, not to mention the extra trees we would destroy in the process," he said, noting the city is now reviewing its policy.
Cedar Hills received a C from Hunt and a B from Campbell, and city manager Konrad Hildebrandt took issue with their expertise, saying "the reality should be what a regular resident thinks ... or really if he/she really cares tremendously. I want to know if Mr. Campbell or Mr. Hunt know who their council representatives are and what is on this week's agenda. My guess is that they don't know."
Cedar Hills has "indeed already been discussing this very issue" and is planning changes to "make a real difference for residents, including posting audio recordings of meetings to the city's Web site and to post electronic information packets two days before any meeting.
"Our city believes in being transparent and erring on the side of 'overcommunication' if possible. We'd like to see more residents being informed and getting involved."
• Caleb Warnock can be reached at 443-3263 or
Utah County Report Card A city by city comparison of graded city agendas, as given by Jeff Hunt, a Freedom of Information Act attorney, and Joel Campbell, BYU assistant professor of communications and past president of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. ALPINE Hunt: B- Campbell: C AMERICAN FORK Hunt: A Campbell: A- CEDAR FORT: Did not provide agenda CEDAR HILLS Hunt: C Campbell: B EAGLE MOUNTAIN Hunt: A Campbell: A ELK RIDGE Hunt: B- Campbell: C GENOLA Hunt: C Campbell: C- GOSHEN Hunt: C Campbell: D HIGHLAND Hunt: B+ Campbell: B- LEHI Hunt: B Campbell: A- LINDON Hunt: A- Campbell: A- MAPLETON Hunt: B Campbell: B OREM Hunt: A Campbell: A PAYSON Hunt: B- Campbell: C PLEASANT GROVE Hunt: A- Campbell: C+ PROVO Hunt: A Campbell: A- (Council agenda); C (study agenda) SALEM Hunt: B Campbell: C SANTAQUIN: Did not provide agenda SARATOGA SPRINGS Hunt: B Campbell: C SPANISH FORK Hunt: B- Campbell: C SPRINGVILLE Hunt: B+ Campbell: B- VINEYARD Hunt: B+ Campbell: A- WOODLAND HILLS Hunt: B- Campbell: D
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Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Saratoga Names New Judge
Saratoga names judge -- Judge Keith Stoney has officially been named as the new Saratoga Springs Justice Court judge. Starting in January, Saratoga Springs will hold justice court on Fridays in the City Council Chambers, with Judge Stoney presiding. The city is moving to a "four-ten" schedule to free up the chambers as well as additional needed office space. A court clerk will be on hand, however, five days a week to accept fees, answer questions, or provide other services as needed. Stoney now serves as a justice four days a week in West Valley City.
Saratoga Lights Up Contest Winners
Saratoga Lights Up contest winners -- The results from the first Saratoga Lights Up contest are in, and the winners are: first place, the Engh Family of Harvest Hills; second place, the Wood Family of Saratoga Hills; and third place, the Corley Family of Harvest Hills.
"This is the first year the city has had the contest," said Valerie Christensen, administrative assistant and coordinator of the Saratoga Lights Up contest. "We hope to continue it in years to come."
Christensen said six homes participated this year. Judging took place last week, and gift certificates to local business for $50, $25, and $10 were awarded.
"Everyone involved enjoyed seeing the lights and seeing the creativity of people," said Christensen. "We are hoping to make this a yearly tradition and see more homes enter next year."
"This is the first year the city has had the contest," said Valerie Christensen, administrative assistant and coordinator of the Saratoga Lights Up contest. "We hope to continue it in years to come."
Christensen said six homes participated this year. Judging took place last week, and gift certificates to local business for $50, $25, and $10 were awarded.
"Everyone involved enjoyed seeing the lights and seeing the creativity of people," said Christensen. "We are hoping to make this a yearly tradition and see more homes enter next year."
Can't We All Just Get Along
Can't we all just get along?
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Daily Herald
I think a good New Year's resolution would be for everyone to get along with everybody else. And by everyone, I mean our cities.
For many years, I used my New Year's column to make resolutions for everyone but myself. It was an attempt to poke fun at folks who had done foolish things during the year. Some may have been cheap shots, but that was just the kind of column it was.
This year I considered the same approach, and started thinking up things Lehi could resolve to do differently.
That's when it came to me: We all need to resolve to get along. Anything else is too painful, too costly. And hurt feelings can last a long time, even when it's a municipality that's feeling the pain.
I chose Lehi first because the city finds itself in a bit of a spitting contest with its neighbors to the west over the proposed east-west corridor at 2100 North.
As a city, Lehi feels it has already borne the brunt of our road fixes when I-15 was first built, dividing that town into two parts. It was a social and economic blow at the time, and many in the city still haven't gotten over it.
Now UDOT proposes an east-west corridor at 2100 North that many think will be a repeat of that experience.
Lehi thinks UDOT should build the road farther north -- but Saratoga Springs officials have sided publicly with the UDOT proposal.
It has all the makings of a long-term relationship problem that should be avoided at all costs. Cities don't forget.
Take, for example, Lindon's annexation to secure a potential I-15 interchange about 30 years ago. The move made good economic sense for the community, which was quite small at the time, But it encompassed a lot of property that Pleasant Grove and American Fork had considered theirs.
It took a long time for those cities, especially American Fork, to get over that. In fact, about five years ago, when Lindon had to approach American Fork about a sewer connection to service some new commercial development in the area, the hard feelings resurfaced.
The connection was given. There was really no choice. But for a moment it looked as if feelings that had been festering for decades might cause some problems.
The same goes for the Suncrest development. Decades ago, when developers first approached north Utah County cities with the idea of putting homes on the top of Traverse Mountain, they were turned away by Alpine, Highland and Lehi. I remember sitting in one particularly intense meeting in Alpine where residents were outspoken about wanting to keep that area free from development.
So they went to Draper, who welcomed the proposal with open arms. The result was an annexation that took part of Utah County into the Draper city limits.
It took 10 years before any homes were built, but when that work started, all those negative feelings were revived.
Then the developers approached the Timpanogos Special Service District, which handles the wastewater treatment for all the north county communities, about making an arrangement to treat the wastewater from homes on the Utah County drainage part of Traverse Mountain.
The members of the special service district board, mainly city council members and mayors from the communities, were disturbed to be asked to provide services for these homes. Those hard feelings were still there.
Eventually they gave in.
The fact is, we may all live in different towns, but our economic future is tied directly to each of our neighboring communities. Look at the development between American Fork and Lehi, once great rivals, for a good example of what can happen when the towns work together. Wal-Mart is in AF, Costco is in Lehi. And no one really seems to care all that much. So both communities benefit.
But if we can't work past our differences, everyone suffers.
Daily Herald
I think a good New Year's resolution would be for everyone to get along with everybody else. And by everyone, I mean our cities.
For many years, I used my New Year's column to make resolutions for everyone but myself. It was an attempt to poke fun at folks who had done foolish things during the year. Some may have been cheap shots, but that was just the kind of column it was.
This year I considered the same approach, and started thinking up things Lehi could resolve to do differently.
That's when it came to me: We all need to resolve to get along. Anything else is too painful, too costly. And hurt feelings can last a long time, even when it's a municipality that's feeling the pain.
I chose Lehi first because the city finds itself in a bit of a spitting contest with its neighbors to the west over the proposed east-west corridor at 2100 North.
As a city, Lehi feels it has already borne the brunt of our road fixes when I-15 was first built, dividing that town into two parts. It was a social and economic blow at the time, and many in the city still haven't gotten over it.
Now UDOT proposes an east-west corridor at 2100 North that many think will be a repeat of that experience.
Lehi thinks UDOT should build the road farther north -- but Saratoga Springs officials have sided publicly with the UDOT proposal.
It has all the makings of a long-term relationship problem that should be avoided at all costs. Cities don't forget.
Take, for example, Lindon's annexation to secure a potential I-15 interchange about 30 years ago. The move made good economic sense for the community, which was quite small at the time, But it encompassed a lot of property that Pleasant Grove and American Fork had considered theirs.
It took a long time for those cities, especially American Fork, to get over that. In fact, about five years ago, when Lindon had to approach American Fork about a sewer connection to service some new commercial development in the area, the hard feelings resurfaced.
The connection was given. There was really no choice. But for a moment it looked as if feelings that had been festering for decades might cause some problems.
The same goes for the Suncrest development. Decades ago, when developers first approached north Utah County cities with the idea of putting homes on the top of Traverse Mountain, they were turned away by Alpine, Highland and Lehi. I remember sitting in one particularly intense meeting in Alpine where residents were outspoken about wanting to keep that area free from development.
So they went to Draper, who welcomed the proposal with open arms. The result was an annexation that took part of Utah County into the Draper city limits.
It took 10 years before any homes were built, but when that work started, all those negative feelings were revived.
Then the developers approached the Timpanogos Special Service District, which handles the wastewater treatment for all the north county communities, about making an arrangement to treat the wastewater from homes on the Utah County drainage part of Traverse Mountain.
The members of the special service district board, mainly city council members and mayors from the communities, were disturbed to be asked to provide services for these homes. Those hard feelings were still there.
Eventually they gave in.
The fact is, we may all live in different towns, but our economic future is tied directly to each of our neighboring communities. Look at the development between American Fork and Lehi, once great rivals, for a good example of what can happen when the towns work together. Wal-Mart is in AF, Costco is in Lehi. And no one really seems to care all that much. So both communities benefit.
But if we can't work past our differences, everyone suffers.
New Fire Chief Enjoying Job, Planning for the Future
New fire chief enjoying job, planning for the future
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Lance Madigan - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Now on the job for a little more than a month in Saratoga, Fire Chief Tim Hay is settling right into the position and the area. "It is a great opportunity," said Hay. "I am having a good time.
Hay comes to Saratoga Springs with almost three decades of experience as a fire fighter, and over half of that as a fire chief.
"This will be the fourth department I have been with. I started in Wellington, Kansas. The last place I was with was Parsons, Kansas. I was chief at Parsons for a little over 10 years, and chief at Mission Township outside of Topeka, Kansas, for about six and a half years."
Hay says that becoming a firefighter wasn't a "life's ambition," but that he just sort of fell into it and enjoyed it. "I had a friend that was on the fire department. I had been to college for a little bit and came home. I was working at a grocery store as a matter of fact. I was looking around, and my friend said, 'Why don't you try the fire department?' So I took an emergency medical technician class, applied at the fire department and the next I know I was on there."
A graduate from Western Illinois University, Hay is also a certified fire investigator. He said that he is now learning more about the area and how to deal with fires here. "Our wild land [in Kansas] was a little different than Saratoga's. We had a lot of flat range fires, or grass fires. We didn't have the mountains or the terrain that we have here that makes things more difficult."
Hay said his biggest challenge, however, was planning for the relatively new department. "Looking 10, 15, 20 years ahead in the future and figure out what some of your needs are going to be. Sometimes you just have to speculate a little bit."
"We have several rigs we are currently retiring and putting out to pasture," said Hay. "When they started out, they couldn't just buy new stuff. So they had to beg and borrow to get started. As far as the facility and the equipment now, we are in really good shape."
But Hay says he is continuing to look to the future to plan for the cities needs.
For now, Hay is just happy to be here and get started. He first came ahead by himself. Now, however, his wife has arrived as well as the moving van. "We are officially here," he said.
For nonemergency questions, Hay or other members are available at 766-6505.
Lance Madigan - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Now on the job for a little more than a month in Saratoga, Fire Chief Tim Hay is settling right into the position and the area. "It is a great opportunity," said Hay. "I am having a good time.
Hay comes to Saratoga Springs with almost three decades of experience as a fire fighter, and over half of that as a fire chief.
"This will be the fourth department I have been with. I started in Wellington, Kansas. The last place I was with was Parsons, Kansas. I was chief at Parsons for a little over 10 years, and chief at Mission Township outside of Topeka, Kansas, for about six and a half years."
Hay says that becoming a firefighter wasn't a "life's ambition," but that he just sort of fell into it and enjoyed it. "I had a friend that was on the fire department. I had been to college for a little bit and came home. I was working at a grocery store as a matter of fact. I was looking around, and my friend said, 'Why don't you try the fire department?' So I took an emergency medical technician class, applied at the fire department and the next I know I was on there."
A graduate from Western Illinois University, Hay is also a certified fire investigator. He said that he is now learning more about the area and how to deal with fires here. "Our wild land [in Kansas] was a little different than Saratoga's. We had a lot of flat range fires, or grass fires. We didn't have the mountains or the terrain that we have here that makes things more difficult."
Hay said his biggest challenge, however, was planning for the relatively new department. "Looking 10, 15, 20 years ahead in the future and figure out what some of your needs are going to be. Sometimes you just have to speculate a little bit."
"We have several rigs we are currently retiring and putting out to pasture," said Hay. "When they started out, they couldn't just buy new stuff. So they had to beg and borrow to get started. As far as the facility and the equipment now, we are in really good shape."
But Hay says he is continuing to look to the future to plan for the cities needs.
For now, Hay is just happy to be here and get started. He first came ahead by himself. Now, however, his wife has arrived as well as the moving van. "We are officially here," he said.
For nonemergency questions, Hay or other members are available at 766-6505.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Lehi Researching Nonresidents Fees and Costs
Lehi researching nonresidents fees and costs
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Cathy Allred - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Lehi has a new task force to research fees and costs related to nonresidents using municipal programs. Results from that research and specific recommendations will be presented to the City Council in January, according to city administrator Jamie Davidson.
"We are looking at what other cities do to see if fees are comparable," Davidson said.
The question of fees came after the Saratoga Springs mayor wrote a letter supporting a transportation plan that Lehi officials oppose.
Councilman Johnny Barnes, who initiated the study in November, had protested a letter written by Saratoga Springs's mayor in support of the Utah Department of Transportation's preferred 2100 North freeway plan.
"I stated that in my opinion, this was a clear demonstration of Saratoga coming of age as a city, and felt that if they want to be a city, they need to act like a city," Barnes read from a prepared letter in November.
"In making this statement, I hold firmly to the opinion that along with having the right to take a strong aggressive position comes the right and obligation to provide services to their citizens."
Barnes was criticized afterward by Lehi residents and nonresidents for his comparison of Lehi as a parent using tough love tactics while comparing the neighboring cities to children.
Since then, both Barnes and Councilman Stephen Holbrook have said they received nonresidents' opinions in support of the fee change.
"I've had three individuals who have expressed some appreciation into us looking into this and they don't live in Lehi," Holbrook said earlier this month. "They said they thought this was just us catching up with what is going on."
Adjusting the fees has been requested intermittently over the last few years by residents. Another suggestion Barnes made was to allow residents to register first for programs and nonresidents later, as space is available.
Cathy Allred - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Lehi has a new task force to research fees and costs related to nonresidents using municipal programs. Results from that research and specific recommendations will be presented to the City Council in January, according to city administrator Jamie Davidson.
"We are looking at what other cities do to see if fees are comparable," Davidson said.
The question of fees came after the Saratoga Springs mayor wrote a letter supporting a transportation plan that Lehi officials oppose.
Councilman Johnny Barnes, who initiated the study in November, had protested a letter written by Saratoga Springs's mayor in support of the Utah Department of Transportation's preferred 2100 North freeway plan.
"I stated that in my opinion, this was a clear demonstration of Saratoga coming of age as a city, and felt that if they want to be a city, they need to act like a city," Barnes read from a prepared letter in November.
"In making this statement, I hold firmly to the opinion that along with having the right to take a strong aggressive position comes the right and obligation to provide services to their citizens."
Barnes was criticized afterward by Lehi residents and nonresidents for his comparison of Lehi as a parent using tough love tactics while comparing the neighboring cities to children.
Since then, both Barnes and Councilman Stephen Holbrook have said they received nonresidents' opinions in support of the fee change.
"I've had three individuals who have expressed some appreciation into us looking into this and they don't live in Lehi," Holbrook said earlier this month. "They said they thought this was just us catching up with what is going on."
Adjusting the fees has been requested intermittently over the last few years by residents. Another suggestion Barnes made was to allow residents to register first for programs and nonresidents later, as space is available.
Significant Events In Saratoga Springs in 2007
Saratoga gets new police department
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Lance Madigan - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
It was a year of growth for Saratoga Springs, which ended 2007 with its own police department and state-wide recognition for its Parks and Recreation Department. Here are some of the highlights for the year. New police department: With 15 total officers and the weight of the community's safety on its shoulders, the Saratoga Springs Police Department took over from the Utah County Sheriff Office on July 1. Public safety, traffic control and code enforcement all transferred to the city, and the police officers moved into the space the sheriff's staff was using on Redwood Road near the pubic works facility.
With the soon-to-be-operating justice court, Saratoga now has nearly all the traditional city services in place.
Parks and Rec award: The Utah Recreation and Parks Association (URPA) recognized Saratoga Springs with the "Outstanding Department" award. Saratoga Springs recreational programs started with a volunteer staff about five years ago, and then with a full-time paid employee two years later.
Saratoga Springs programs continue to expand, currently offering spring and fall soccer leagues, basketball, flag football and the fishing club. In all, more than 1,500 youth and adults participate.
The URPA gives three awards each year classed by size of community. Saratoga Springs is Class 1: a department serving a community with under 15,000 population. The URPA award was given for Saratoga's efforts to actively support and promote the growth, development, and preservation of recreation, leisure, parks, and natural resources within the city.
Loss of Fire Chief Michael Penovich: The tragic loss of Michael Penovich. 38, was one of the most significant events of the year. He was killed on July 5 when the vehicle he was driving veered off U.S. Highway 89 and into Deer Creek Reservoir. He had been driving to Saratoga Springs from a meeting in Heber City for the fire department when witnesses say the truck swerved off the road. Officials say it is unlikely the exact reason the truck left the road will ever be known.
Faced with two large open land fires, the fire department protected the residents of Saratoga. In November, Tim Hay was appointed as the new fire chief. He says his goal is to keep the department looking forward so they can best serve Saratoga's needs.
Saratoga Springs Citizen Academy: Saratoga Springs graduated its very first "Citizens Academy" in November. This group of 13 completed the eight-week course with department personnel in order to learn more about what it is to be a law officer.
"The course is designed to give participants an overview of law enforcement," said Sgt. Eddie Christensen. Canine and SWAT demonstrations, DUI procedures, investigations, school programs, crime scene investigation and traffic control were just a few of the topics covered in the academy.
Lance Madigan - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
It was a year of growth for Saratoga Springs, which ended 2007 with its own police department and state-wide recognition for its Parks and Recreation Department. Here are some of the highlights for the year. New police department: With 15 total officers and the weight of the community's safety on its shoulders, the Saratoga Springs Police Department took over from the Utah County Sheriff Office on July 1. Public safety, traffic control and code enforcement all transferred to the city, and the police officers moved into the space the sheriff's staff was using on Redwood Road near the pubic works facility.
With the soon-to-be-operating justice court, Saratoga now has nearly all the traditional city services in place.
Parks and Rec award: The Utah Recreation and Parks Association (URPA) recognized Saratoga Springs with the "Outstanding Department" award. Saratoga Springs recreational programs started with a volunteer staff about five years ago, and then with a full-time paid employee two years later.
Saratoga Springs programs continue to expand, currently offering spring and fall soccer leagues, basketball, flag football and the fishing club. In all, more than 1,500 youth and adults participate.
The URPA gives three awards each year classed by size of community. Saratoga Springs is Class 1: a department serving a community with under 15,000 population. The URPA award was given for Saratoga's efforts to actively support and promote the growth, development, and preservation of recreation, leisure, parks, and natural resources within the city.
Loss of Fire Chief Michael Penovich: The tragic loss of Michael Penovich. 38, was one of the most significant events of the year. He was killed on July 5 when the vehicle he was driving veered off U.S. Highway 89 and into Deer Creek Reservoir. He had been driving to Saratoga Springs from a meeting in Heber City for the fire department when witnesses say the truck swerved off the road. Officials say it is unlikely the exact reason the truck left the road will ever be known.
Faced with two large open land fires, the fire department protected the residents of Saratoga. In November, Tim Hay was appointed as the new fire chief. He says his goal is to keep the department looking forward so they can best serve Saratoga's needs.
Saratoga Springs Citizen Academy: Saratoga Springs graduated its very first "Citizens Academy" in November. This group of 13 completed the eight-week course with department personnel in order to learn more about what it is to be a law officer.
"The course is designed to give participants an overview of law enforcement," said Sgt. Eddie Christensen. Canine and SWAT demonstrations, DUI procedures, investigations, school programs, crime scene investigation and traffic control were just a few of the topics covered in the academy.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Why the Blog Format?
I decided to switch to using a blog. I wanted to be able to post images and couldn't with the other forum. I also wasn't able to utilize the forum function, so the blog works for what I wanted to do.
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